A Nigerian-born nurse, Chimzuruoke Okembunachi, has had her nursing licence cancelled in Australia after a tribunal found she repeatedly slept during night shifts at an aged care facility, putting elderly patients at risk.

As reported by the Daily Mail on Friday, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on January 20th ruled that Ms Okembunachi’s actions in March 2024 amounted to professional misconduct, leading to the cancellation of her nursing registration.

Ms Okembunachi, 25, began working at Hardi Aged Care in Guildford, western Sydney, in February 2024. Barely a month later, she was suspended and subsequently resigned.

During the tribunal proceedings, it emerged that between March 13 and 27, she was the sole registered nurse on night shifts supervising three or four assistants-in-nursing (AINs) and about 100 residents.

On six nights, she failed to perform her duties because she slept. On three occasions, patients missed prescribed doses of morphine.

Evidence showed that during her shift on March 21–22, an AIN turned on the nurses’ station light to wake her, but she reportedly turned it off a minute later and went back to sleep.

On March 15, she told an AIN to administer Panadol to a patient, despite the assistant not being authorized, saying, “It’s okay, sister, just give it to him.”

Two nurses reported her conduct on March 27. The following day, she received a suspension email and an invitation to a meeting, but resigned 20 minutes later, declining to attend.

Born in Nigeria, Ms Okembunachi moved to Australia in 2018. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2021 and was studying medicine at Western Sydney University while working at HAC.

She told the tribunal, “These events caused me significant stress… In hindsight, I should not applied for, or accepted the position at Hardi. Working night shifts during the week was putting patients’ safety at risk.”

She added, “When I slept on night shift, I failed in supervising those staff members and the residents.”

The tribunal noted her “remorseful and contrite” attitude but ruled deregistration necessary, saying her actions “had the potential to endanger the lives of patients under her care.”

Ms Okembunachi cannot apply for review for at least nine months. She has not returned to nursing but continues her medical studies, supported by her father and a Centrelink Student Allowance.

A peaceful protest broke out on Friday in Ijebu Ode over alleged plans to impose the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

The protesters marched through Awujale Palace Road on their way to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat to register their displeasure over the development.

Recall that the Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the Awujale selection process following a flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.

Details later…

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says his principal aligns with the position of Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the leadership hierarchy in Rivers state.

Bwala’s remarks come as the Rivers house of assembly continues impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, amid a renewed war of words between the governor and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.

On January 3, the APC chairman said Fubara, governor of Rivers, leads the party in the state.

Yilwatda said the APC accords governors the privilege of leading the party at the state level, while urging them to respect inclusion and avoid disenfranchising other party members.

Speaking on ‘Hard Copy’, a Channels Television programme, Bwala said the governor must be allowed to carry out his duties without undue interference.

The presidential aide added that Wike’s political standing in the state is limited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I agree with the point highlighted by the national chairman that in Rivers state, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party,” he said.

“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers state, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara.”

Bwala said Tinubu’s position is in tandem with the party’s internal rules and democratic principles.

“What the national chairman said is the position the president sticks to, because he respects party procedures. The president believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that,” he said.

Bwala also addressed concerns over Wike’s influence within the federal government, noting that appointments do not supersede national interest.

“We’ve heard people complain that as a cabinet member, Wike enjoys certain benefits,” he said.

“Wike has been adequately compensated. The president believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu gives latitude, but once you cross the line, you will know.”

He added that the cold war between Wike and Fubara is “being handled”.

“When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor. The impeachment procedure must be consistent with the practice of law and constitutional requirements,” he added.

“The governor will deal with it. There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Fubara from governing Rivers state.

“The president even respects the rights of states governed by the PDP. Even where the APC may want to challenge them, he believes that a governor, regardless of party, should be allowed to govern.”

Bwala concluded that the president’s stance reflects his commitment to democratic stability, constitutional order, and party discipline across the country.